Amusement device.



E. K. NAPP. AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

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Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

E. K; NAPP. AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1910.

Patented Jan. 17, 1911.

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EDWIN K. NAPP, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1'7, 1911.

- Application filed April 23, 1910. Serial No. 557,129.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN K. NAPP, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in rrmusement Devices; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in amusement devices or apparatus.

The object of this invention is to provide an amusement apparatus which can be cheaply constructed and which will be comparatirely inexpensive to operate.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character described by means of which an illusion may be produced resembling a cyclone or tornado.

My invention also consists in the features of construction and combination of parts described in the specification, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

in the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a central vertical section of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a section on line 22, Fig. 1.

In general my apparatus comprises an outer frame or building, the walls of which are rigidly supported upon a stationary foundation. Within the building is arranged a cylindrical wall of less height than the building and on the inner surface thereof is depicted any suitable scene or landscape. This cylindrical wall is supported on rollers and means is provided for imparting a rotary motion thereto. Within the cylindrical wall is arranged a platform, for the spectators which is rigidly supported and is preferably provided with a circular rail which is set a distance from the wall and serves as a guard to prevent the spectators coming in contact with the wall. From the roof of the main building is suspended a support around the edge of which are arranged a series of lights so as to illuminate the inner surface of the cylindrical wall while leaving the platform forspectators in comparative darkness. Means is also provided for producing drafts or roof 7.

currents of air across the platform on which the spectators are standing.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 1 represents the foundation on which the main building is rigidly mounted. The main building comprises a lower portion 5 and an upper dome-shaped portion having a cylindrical wall 6 which is topped with a Vithin the main building is arranged a cylindrical wall 9 which is somewhat smaller in diameter than the dome portion of the main building and extends up but a short distance within the dome so that the main portion of the dome is visible above the said wall 9. On the bottom of the wall 9 are arranged a series of supporting rollers 10 which rest on a circular track 11 and around the outer side of the wall 9 near the bottom are arranged another series of rollers 13 which come in contact with a circular track 14, the last-mentioned series of rollers and track serving to keep the wall from displacement laterally. Around the wall 9 above the rollers 13 is arranged an endless driving cable 15 which also extends over a driving wheel 16 rigidly mounted on an upright shaft 18. On the shaft 18 is also arranged a pulley 19 which is operatively connected by a belt 20 with a suitable motor (not shown). On the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 9 near the upper edge thereof are supported a series. of sparking devices 21 of the usual type for producing the effect of lightning flashes. Around the outside of the wall 9, a suitable dlstance from the bottom thereof, are arranged a series of fans or blowers 22 so as to direct currents of air through small openings 23 formed in the said wall 9. On the inner surface of the wall 9 is painted any suitable scene, preferably a landscape. From the center of the dome a support 25 is suspended by means of hangers 26, and around the edge of the support 25 are arranged a series of lights 27 behind which is arranged a suitable reflector 28 so as to throw the illumination from said lights over the scene on the wall 9 while leaving the upper portion of the dome and the space within the wall 9 in comparative darkness.

On the support 25 is rotatably mounted a shelf 29 which is arranged to be rotated or driven by a suitable motor 30. On the shelf 29 are mounted a series of stereopticon devices 31 which are arranged to cast reflections or images on the surface of the wall 6 of the dome. The stereopticon devices are provided with suitable slides for producing cloud efiect.

In the space inclosed by the wall 9 is arranged a platform 32 which is rigidly supported on suitable piers 33. On the platform 32 is arranged an annular guard rail 34 which is provided with suitable gates 35 to give access to the space inclosed by said rail. The space between the outer wall 5 and the cylindrical wall 9 is provided with suitable flooring 36 and in the outer wall 5 are arranged doors 37 and in the wall 9 are arranged doors 38.

The operation of the device is as follows,The spectators are admitted to the platform 32 and the motor which drives the belt 20 is started which through its operatlve connection drives the cable 15 thereby causing the wall 9 to revolve around the platform 32. The lights which illuminate the scene on the inside of the wall 9 are turned on and the stereopticon machines are operated and at the same time are revolved so that there is a constant shift-ing of the images thrown on the inner face of the wall (3. From time to time while the wal 9 is revolving the flashing devices are operated and the reflection therefrom is thrown on the wall 6 of the dome and also the fans 22 are operated forcing currents of air across and among the spectators.

What I claim is,

1. In an amusement device the combination with a main building provided with a cylindrical dome, of a cylindrical wall revolubly mounted within said building and extending part way up within said dome, said cylindrical wall being provided with scenery on its inner face and means for revolving said wall.

2. In an amusement device the combination with a main building provided with a cylindrical dome, of a cylindrical wall ar ranged within said building and extending part way up within said dome, said wall having a scene arranged on its inner face, supporting rollers arranged beneath said wall, means for revolving said wall and a stationary platform arranged in the space inclosed by said wall.

3. In an amusement device the combination with a main building provided with a cylindrical dome, of a cylindrical. wall ar ranged within said building and extending part way up within said dome, said wall having a scene arranged on its inner face, supporting rollers arranged beneath said wall, means for revolving said wall, flashing devices arranged on the outer face of said wall and movable therewith and a station ary platform arranged in the space inclosed by said wall.

4. In an amusement device the combination with a main building provided with a cylindrical dome, a cylindrical wall arranged within said building and extending upward within said dome, supporting rollers arranged beneath said wall, means for revolving said wall, a support hung centrally from the top of the dome and stereopticon devices rotatably mounted on said support.

5. In an amusement device the combination with a main building provided with a cylindrical dome, of a cylindrical wall arranged within said building and extending part way up within said dome, said wall having a scene arranged on its inner face, supporting rollers arranged beneath said wall, an annular track arranged around the lower part of said wall, rollers mounted on said wall and adapted to engage said track and means for revolving said wall.

(3. In an amusement device the combination of a main building PIOXlClGCl with a cylindrical dome, a cylindrical wall having a scene arranged on its inner face rotatably mounted within said building and extending upward within said dome, means for revolving said wall, flashing devices arranged on the outer face of said wall, fans mounted on said wall, a stationary platform arranged in the space inclosed by said wall, a support suspended from the top of said dome, lights arranged on said support for illuminating the scene on the inside of said rotatable wall and stereopticon devices rotatably mounted on said support and arranged to cast images on the inner face of the wall of the dome and means for rotating said devices.

In testimony whereof, I sign the foregoing specification, in the presence of two witnesses.

EDIVIN K. NAPP. Witnesses VIoToR LYNoH, N. L. MoDoNNELL. 

